The 2020 Kia Forte lasts around 250,000 miles with relatively minor paint chipping and wire coating issues. At $16,999 to $23,999, it’s a great value for a compact car with some of the latest safety technology.
Is the 2020 Kia Forte a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – 2020 is a good year for the Kia Forte since it has a lot of technology paired with good reliability ratings. Owner reviews praise the sporty handling, nice interior, along with the low fuel costs.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – Interior materials are good for a compact car, the seats are comfortable for longer drives, cargo space is also good in the trunk.
- Reliability 8/10 – There are no serious mechanical problems reported on the 2020 Forte. Shoppers should stay away from models from 2010–2015 which have engine problems, while 2016–2021 are much more reliable.
- Performance 7/10 – Performance is okay from both of the four-cylinder engine options, although it’s not as quick as some of the other small cars on the market.
- Safety 8/10 – The 2020 Forte is reasonably safe, earning 4 out of 5 stars in government crash tests. There’s a standard rearview camera, automatic emergency braking, along with lane keep assist. Adaptive cruise control as well as pedestrian detection are optional.
- Gas Mileage 9/10 – Fuel economy is great at up to 35 MPG giving 490 miles of range from the 14 gallon tank. Gas costs are $55 cheaper than average at $131 per month.
- Value 8/10 – The 2020 Kia Forte is cheaper than most other compact cars on the market, making it a good value proposition.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Kia Forte?
- Consumer Reports says the 2020 Kia Forte offers a lot of technology for a compact budget-friendly car with average owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds rates the Forte at 4.4/5, praising the very efficient engine choices, but doesn’t like the overly-firm suspension.
- Kelley Blue Book users give the Forte a 4/5, enjoying the passenger room for a compact sedan, but owners don’t like the relatively cheap dash.
What Common Problems Does the 2020 Kia Forte Have?
Common problems found on the 2020 Kia Forte include windshield wipers chipping paint, rodents eating soy-based wiring, along with a rare report of a transmission failure. Overall, most of these problems are relatively minor, leading to average repair costs as the Forte ages.
The windshield wipers chipping paint is the most common complaint from owners in the first 5,000 miles. Owners have found that when you lift the wipers to clean or change the blades, they smack against the hood, chipping the paint. The best way to fix this is to run your wipers and stop them mid-swipe so that they are in a position which does not damage the hood.
Rodents eating soy-based wiring is another issue reported by some 2020 Forte owners in the first 10,000 miles. Many modern cars use a soy-based wire coating to help reduce the amount of plastic waste, unfortunately it attracts pests looking for food. Installing an under-hood strobe light can help deter rodents if you have to park outdoors.
There’s also a rare report of a transmission failure from owners at around 15,000 miles. One of the synchro-rings simply failed in the transmission, leading to a failure. Kia will replace the transmission for free in the 10-year/100,000-mile warranty. If you’re out of warranty then it may cost around $3,500 to change.
There are no recalls on the 2020 Kia Forte, which is better than many other compact cars on the market. None of the issues with the 2020 Forte have been severe or widespread enough for Kia to feel the need to issue a recall.
How Long Will the 2020 Kia Forte Last?
A well-maintained 2020 Kia Forte can last around 250,000 miles, which is only slightly shorter than the long-lasting Toyota Corolla. Regular annual maintenance costs are similar to other small cars, according to data provided by Repair Pal, at $350 per year.
As a used 2020 Kia Forte reaches 100,000 miles, and depending on the vehicle history, owners should be prepared to replace the radiator fan motor for $375, windshield washer fluid reservoir costing $225, along with the heater hose which costs $300.
Yes it a really reliable car. It actually the most reliable car I have ever had. I a really good car for my family.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology is great for a compact car in the 2020 Kia Forte with a standard 8-inch touchscreen stereo system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Available upgrades include a more powerful stereo system.
Standard safety technology is excellent for the Forte’s price, offering standard features including:
- Rearview camera
- Forward collision warning
- Lane departure warning
- Driver drowsiness monitoring
- Automatic emergency braking
- Lane keeping assist
Available advanced safety features include:
- Blind spot monitoring
- Rear parking sensors
- Adaptive cruise control
- Rear cross traffic alert
- Pedestrian detection
Is the 2020 Kia Forte a Good Value?
Yes, the 2020 Kia Forte is a good value since it’s cheaper than many other small cars on the market while still being reliable. The blue book fair purchase price ranges from $16,999 to $23,999, making it less than a Honda Civic or Subaru WRX. When new, the price range was $17,890 to $23,090. Depreciation is similar to other small cars, losing about 5% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Kia Forte?
There are five different models of the 2020 Kia Forte available from the base FE model, all the way up to the more performance-oriented Forte GT. The Forte comes standard with front-wheel drive across all models.
FE is the entry-level model with:
- 15-Inch Steel Wheels
- Cloth Seats
- Automatic Headlights
- Height-Adjustable Front Seats
- 8-Inch Touchscreen With Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Four-Speaker Audio System
- Rearview Camera
LXS is a step up, adding:
- 16-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Selectable Drive Modes
- 60/40-Split Folding Rear Seat
- Soft-Touch Dash and Door Materials
GT-Line falls in the middle of the pack with:
- 17-Inch Wheels
- Black Exterior Accents
- Rear Spoiler
- Heated Mirrors
- Keyless Entry and Ignition
- Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel
- Six-Speaker Audio System
- Simulated Leather Side Bolsters
EX adds features such as:
- Unique 17-Inch Wheels
- Simulated Leather Upholstery
- Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control
- Rear Air Vents
- Power-Adjustable Driver’s Seat
- Heated and Ventilated Front Seats
- Satellite Radio
- Eight-Speaker Harman Kardon Stereo
GT is the flagship model which has:
- Optional Turbocharged Engine
- 18-Inch Wheels
- Fully Independent Rear Sport Tuned Suspension
- Larger Front Brakes
- Dual Exhaust Pipes
- LED Headlights
- Ambient Interior Lighting
What Engines Come In the Kia Forte?
- The base engine is an average 2.0L 4-cylinder which makes 147 horsepower at up to 35 MPG. It offers a standard six-speed manual transmission or an available continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).
- There’s an available upgrade which is a stronger 1.6L turbocharged 4-cylinder which produces 201 horsepower while getting up to 30 MPG. It has either a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Performance is good, taking 6.7 seconds to go from 0-60 MPH.
What Colors Does the Kia Forte Come In?
How Comfortable Is the Kia Forte?
The 2020 Kia Forte offers a comfortable interior with supportive front seats and a spacious cabin. The base LX model comes with a 6-way manually adjustable driver’s seat, while higher trims have an 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with 2-way lumbar support.
Rear-seat legroom is generous for a compact car. Overall, the 2020 Kia Forte offers a comfortable and well-appointed interior for its class.
How Much Storage Space Does the Kia Forte Have?
The 2020 Kia Forte is a compact car with an average trunk which has 14.9 cubic feet of room. This provides ample storage space for everyday items such as groceries, luggage, and personal belongings. The trunk has a wide opening and low lift-over height for easy access and loading. The rear seats can also be folded down to increase the available cargo space.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The third generation of the Kia Forte was introduced for the 2019 model year.
2015: More efficient engine choices added, Uvo telematics system removed from the EX.
2016: LX model introduced as a hatchback or sedan.
2017: Small front-end styling changes, new suspension on the S model, adaptive xenon headlights offered, upgraded 2.0L engine.
2018: No major changes.
2019: Fully redesigned with all-new technology, engines, and exterior styling.
2020: New GT & GT Line models replace the outgoing S model.
2021: High performance tires added to the GT models with a manual transmission.
How Does the Kia Forte Compare to the Competition?
The 2020 Kia Forte is a very nice compact car offering a great warranty paired with a lot of the latest safety technology which helps it stand out compared to some of the other options on the market.
The Hyundai Elantra is another small sedan available for around $1,000 more. The Kia Forte and Hyundai Elantra are both built on the same platform and share the same engines. Where the Hyundai Elantra stands out is with a more upscale interior. We recommend the Hyundai Elantra since it’s slightly nicer, although if you want to save some money the Kia Forte is essentially the same car.
The Toyota Corolla is another compact car which costs about $2,500 more. Predicted reliability ratings are better in the Toyota Corolla, while the Kia Forte offers more powerful engine choices making it more fun to drive. We recommend the Toyota Corolla since it will last longer, although both are good choices for the 2020 model year.
Do Owners Recommend the Kia Forte?
Yes it's really good on gas. It's really spacious and economic. It comfortable and good for kids. I am in love since I got it.